Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics: Nourishing the Microbiome

In the complex and growing field of microbiome research, three significant players stand out: prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics^[1]. Each plays a unique role in gut health and offers distinct pathways to supporting overall wellness. From aiding digestion to modulating immunity, they contribute to a balanced microbiome essential for optimal health. The growing knowledge about prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics underscores the importance of a balanced microbiome. Each component contributes uniquely—prebiotics as food for beneficial bacteria, probiotics as live agents of gut health, and postbiotics as stable bioactive compounds with systemic benefits. They provide a comprehensive approach to supporting gut health, immune function, and overall well-being. The future of microbiome research holds promising potential, including strain-specific applications, novel product formulations, and refined regulatory frameworks. With ongoing research and consumer interest, prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics are set to transform health and wellness.

Prebiotics: Fueling Beneficial Microbes

Prebiotics are non-digestible compounds—mainly fibers and certain plant-derived compounds—that feed beneficial bacteria in the gut. By selectively encouraging the growth and activity of these microbes, prebiotics help sustain a healthy gut ecosystem. Prebiotics are often found in fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Key prebiotic compounds include Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS), present in bananas, onions, and garlic;  Inulin, found in chicory root, asparagus, and leeks; Polyphenols, plant compounds in berries, grapes, and tea, which have gained attention for their unique gut-modulating effects. Beyond gut health, prebiotics assist in producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, which strengthens the gut barrier and has anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, prebiotics have been shown to potentially reduce the risks of obesity and metabolic disorders by modulating the gut microbiota.

Probiotics: Live Microorganisms with Health Benefits

Probiotics are live bacteria or yeasts that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. These “good” microbes support gut health by enhancing the microbiome balance, protecting against harmful pathogens, and assisting in nutrient absorption. Probiotic-rich foods include yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables like kimchi and sauerkraut​​. Common probiotic strains include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, which aid in lactose digestion, support immune function, and can alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); Saccharomyces boulardii, a beneficial yeast effective against antibiotic-associated diarrhea and certain infections. Probiotics can help stabilize the gut microbiome after disruptions from antibiotics, stress, or illness, promoting a return to balance​. The probiotics industry has expanded to include foods, dietary supplements, and functional products, each tailored to specific health needs. Regulatory frameworks are increasingly focusing on evidence for health claims, with particular attention to strain-specific benefits and the importance of delivering an adequate number of live cells through the product’s shelf life​.

Postbiotics: The Next Frontier in Microbiome Health

Postbiotics are the bioactive compounds produced by probiotics during fermentation. Unlike probiotics, they are not live organisms but include metabolites like SCFAs, enzymes, peptides, and cell wall fragments. Postbiotics can confer health benefits similar to probiotics but offer enhanced stability, as they are not live organisms and, therefore, have a longer shelf life. Postbiotics interact with the host by modulating immune function, reinforcing gut barrier integrity, and reducing inflammation. SCFAs, such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, produced during fermentation have been linked to reduced inflammation and enhanced energy metabolism in the gut lining cells​. Given their stability, postbiotics are well-suited for inclusion in a broader range of food products and supplements. They can also benefit immunocompromised individuals or environments where live probiotics might pose a contamination risk. Regulatory bodies like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) are beginning to consider guidelines for postbiotics in functional foods​^[2].

The demand for prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics is surging, driven by rising consumer awareness of gut health’s role in overall wellness. The probiotics market exceeded 80 billion USD in 2023 and expects further growth in the next decade^[3]. Similarly, prebiotics and postbiotics are experiencing accelerated growth, especially with their increasing applications in functional foods, beverages, supplements, and pharmaceuticals. This expansion of the microbiome product sector has created a critical need for comprehensive testing services, particularly as regulatory bodies impose more stringent requirements on product efficacy and safety claims.

How Mérieux NutriSciences Supports Industry Needs

As the global market for prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics expands, rigorous testing has become essential to ensure product quality, efficacy, and regulatory compliance. Innovation and valorization are on the rise, too^[4]. Mérieux NutriSciences is at the forefront of providing specialized testing capabilities across these product categories, empowering producers to meet market demands and comply with evolving standards. Mérieux NutriSciences leverages its expertise to provide high-precision testing solutions across the spectrum of microbiome-related products. The company’s testing capabilities cater to each unique category—prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics—ensuring that producers can confidently bring safe, effective, and compliant products to market.

Prebiotic Testing: Mérieux NutriSciences provides analytical methods to test the functional fibers and carbohydrate structures that characterize prebiotics.  Fiber testing methods include crude fiber, commonly associated with AAFCO testing; Total, Soluble, and Insoluble fiber; and Codex fiber analysis. Prebiotic testing methods include Beta-Glucan (In both cereal sources and non-cereal sources such as yeast and mushrooms) and various oligosaccharides. With accurate and verified prebiotic content, producers can make validated health claims about the benefits of these fibers on gut health and immune support.

Probiotic Testing requires the precise identification, quantification, and viability assessment of specific microbial strains (e.g., Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium). Mérieux NutriSciences employs advanced techniques such as flow cytometry. Flow Cytometry reports results in either Total Fluorescent Units (TFU), Active Fluorescent Units (AFU), or non-active Fluorescent Units (n-AFU)​​. These capabilities allow producers to verify probiotic strain potency, stability, and efficacy throughout the product's shelf life, meeting consumer expectations and regulatory demands. Additionally, Mérieux NutriSciences offers customized validation for multi-strain probiotic blends, addressing one of the significant challenges in probiotic formulation.

Postbiotic Testing Postbiotic testing involves analyzing bioactive metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), peptides, and microbial lysates, to confer health benefits. Mérieux NutriSciences uses chromatography and mass spectrometry to quantify and characterize postbiotic metabolites. Additionally, flow cytometry is adapted to detect postbiotic components in various matrices​​. By verifying the presence and concentration of bioactive compounds, Mérieux NutriSciences supports producers in ensuring product quality, stability, and functional claims. This testing is precious for postbiotics, which, as inanimate compounds, offer stability advantages over live probiotics and present unique opportunities in shelf-stable products.

How Mérieux NutriSciences Supports Producers in a Growing Market

Mérieux NutriSciences not only provides testing services but also acts as a strategic partner for producers navigating the complexities of the microbiome product market. Here’s how the company supports producers:

1. Developing Customized Testing Protocols: The diversity of formulations in prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics demands customized testing approaches. Mérieux NutriSciences offers method development tailored to each product’s unique matrix, ensuring accuracy in testing multi-strain probiotic blends, complex fiber structures, and varied postbiotic metabolites.
   
   
2. Fast Turnaround and Reliable Data: Time-to-market is crucial in the competitive health product industry. Mérieux NutriSciences provides rapid turnaround times with capabilities like flow cytometry-based assays.
   
   
3. Research and Development Support: For companies innovating in the microbiome space, Mérieux NutriSciences offers R&D services to validate novel formulations and support new product claims. 

Mérieux NutriSciences is a critical partner for producers in the prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic sectors. Offering an array of testing solutions in microbiology and the dietary supplements space, our experts address the specific needs of each product category and play a pivotal role in advancing the next generation of microbiome-related health products by supporting compliance and innovation.

References

[1] Jing, J., et al. (2023). MedComm. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10625129/pdf/MCO2-4-e420.pdf

[2]  Dominique, T.,et al (2021). EFSA Journal Retrieved from https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6780

[3] Grand View Research. (2023). Market analysis report: Probiotics market size, share & trends analysis report by product (food & beverages, dietary supplements), by ingredient (bacteria, yeast), by distribution channel, by end-use, by region, and segment forecasts, 2023–2030. 

[4] Cato, W., et al. (2023). Frontiers in Microbiology. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10756236/pdf/fmicb-14-1323920.pdf